Tremblay feels Rochette’s pain

Francois- Louis Tremblay of Canada #317 skates in the 500m preliminary rounds during the the ISU World Cup Short Track Speedskating Championships at the Benny Event Center on November 14, 2009 in Marquette, Michigan.

Photograph by: Jonathan Ferrey
, Getty Images

VANCOUVER — Canadian short-track speedskater Francois-Louis Tremblay could barely get the words out.

He is the former boyfriend of Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette, whose mother Therese died early Sunday morning in a Vancouver hospital after suffering a heart attack. She was just 55.

Fighting back tears the whole time, Tremblay offered his support for Rochette.

“It’s silly, but when I was with her I always tried to be the strong one,’’ he said. “But when she’s not around, it’s harder. I have a competition to prepare. I hope Joannie will be strong.

“What I really want to say is that she’ll be able to spend time with her family and the people that are close to her. That’s the most important thing — not the competition.”

Spotlights

Francois- Louis Tremblay of Canada #317 skates in the 500m preliminary rounds during the the ISU World Cup Short Track Speedskating Championships at the Benny Event Center on November 14, 2009 in Marquette, Michigan.

Photograph by: Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images

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